Pro Football’s “Mr. Irrelevant” Was Anything But

Storyline: John Tuggle, the 335th pick of the 12th round of the 1983 NFL Draft, was an inspiration–in life and death. Written by Elianna Benhamu, Paramus, NJ Follow Elianna on Twitter @thecenturyroad

Now legendary players were selected in the 1983 NFL Draft, players like John Elway, Eric Dickerson, and Dan Marino. An unknown player, John Tuggle, was the last player chosen in the last round.

Although he held the title, “Mr. Irrelevant, ” the nickname given to the player picked last in an NFL Draft, Tuggle proved himself otherwise. After being selected by the New York Giants, Tuggle went on to be an amazing football player, inspiring the Giants to push beyond their limits and win the 1986 Super Bowl.

Tuggle as a Cal Bear (bearinsider.com)

John Tuggle was born in Honolulu in 1961 and grew up in San Jose, CA. He was fully engaged, all in, when it came to sports. He put in tons of effort with every sport he tried. He practiced and played as much as he could and was always voted the team’s MVP. But football was the sport he played best and the game at which he worked hardest. Tuggle loved football and was the leader of his high school football team. All the hard work paid off when John was drafted by the Giants in 1983 after finishing playing collegiately at the University of California.

But Tuggle needed to work even harder to make the Giants. Tuggle’s nonstop approach at the Giants training camp caught the attention of Giants starting fullback, Rob Carpenter. Tuggle trained even harder under Carpenter’s tutelage. After weeks of determination, and a great exhibition game against the Jets, new Giants coach Bill Parcell told Tuggle he had made the team.

Courtesy: findingyoursilverlining.com

During his rookie year (’83) Tuggle played fullback for the last five games of the year after Carpenter went down with injury. John rushed, caught passes, returned kickoffs, and scored a touchdown versus the Eagles. Named Giant’s Special Team Player of the Year, Tuggle inspired his teammates–to train and push to the limit, just as he did. Tuggle lifting weights, practiced incessantly, and never took breaks.

Despite all the hard work, a positive attitude, and a successful season behind him, Tuggle couldn’t control what happened next. During an incredibly trying offseason, John got divorced. He injured his knee while training. And then he received news that would change his life forever.

He and Carpenter, now close friends (in addition to their on-field relationship), were being driven home by a friend after a night out. The car hit a telephone pole. A minor crash, Tuggle’s shoulder banged into the door. The pain John experienced was too intense for such a small hit. Encouraged by Carpenter to get his shoulder checked out, Tuggle went to the hospital. He received terrible news: it was cancerous sarcoma. The disease would require chemotherapy and related treatments.

Courtesy: Wikipedia.org

But Tuggle wouldn’t let cancer get the better of him. John had no hair, no wife, and was living with a deadly disease. But he had a positive attitude and just kept going. He continued to work out. He attended every practice. And in spite of surgeries and many treatments, Tuggle never let himself relax. He was motivated and determined to beat cancer. That attitude inspired his teammates. If Tuggle could come to practice and work hard every day, then they should be doing likewise–giving it all they had.

Tuggle remained a Giant for two more seasons. But, in 1986, he wasn’t re-signed. After leaving the NFL, Tuggle kept active, engaging in jobs and hobbies. He just wasn’t the type to ever stop, step away, or back down. And, in a show of extraordinary support, the Giants continued paying his health insurance.

But, now, three years after being diagnosed, John began showing signs of weakness. Each day his life became more painful, more difficult. Although never one to show fear or let anything–even cancer–beat him, even Tuggle knew the end was coming.

Even though he tried to keep going, Tuggle’s friends and family could see it was getting harder for him. They had seen him fight–outliving the prognosis that doctors had delivered. Never in their lives had they seen a more determined, stronger fighter. It didn’t make sense to them that a person so strong, so brave, and so fun-loving could be defeated. But the inevitable was near.

Courtesy: findagrave.com

Soon after taking a ski trip, and while in Mexico undergoing cancer treatment, Tuggle died in his sleep. On August 30th, at the young age of twenty five, Tuggle’s life ended.

Although he lived for only a short time, Tuggle accomplished much. He lived every day to its fullest. And Tuggle’s spirit continued to motivate his former teammates. Every game that ’86 season, and into the NFL Playoffs, the Giants wore #38 (John’s number) on their uniforms. The Giants became Super Bowl champs.

For years following John’s death it was difficult for Rob Carpenter to talk about Tuggle. Today, every word that comes out of Carpenter’s mouth is positive–about John’s determination, hard work, and how he persisted even after he had achieved success.

This 335th pick of the 12th round of the 1983 NFL Draft was anything but Mr. Irrelevant.